Dutch firms initiate information-sharing network

Monday, April 22, 2013

Major players in the Dutch supply chain, including Schiphol Cargo, KLM Cargo and Air Cargo Netherlands, have signed onto the Neutral Logistics Information Platform, an information-sharing agreement between business and government to strengthen the supply chain.
The non-profit program will allow partners to input supply chain information into the system and share it among all levels of the supply chain. This new way of sharing information will help shippers, port officials, governments and providers work more efficiently, reducing administration work and optimizing their services, according to a press release about the new program.
In total, 16 entities are involved in NLIP. Entities include the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Dutch Customs, the Dutch Shippers’ Council, and the ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Enno Osinga, head of Schiphol Cargo, sees a number of benefits from the new business plan.
“We strongly support any move to drive inefficiencies from the supply chain, and the NLIP’s goals exactly match our own," he said in a statement. “In the short term, NLIP will further strengthen Schiphol’s position as an integral element of the Netherlands’ multi-modal hub proposition. Longer-term, we hope our logistics model will set an example globally, and contribute to a healthier future for the entire industry.” - Jon Ross